(Best E Casino) - The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have continued to consistently win games despite an offense that can hardly be classified as championship caliber.

The Angels will enter this weekend's play with an American League-best 37-24 record and a comfortable 3 1/2-game advantage on second-place Oakland in the AL Central standings. That eye-opening mark is even more impressive considering that Mike Scioscia's club ranks 10th among Junior Circuit teams in runs scored and in the bottom half of the league in virtually every offensive category.

The lineup has been particularly deficient over the season's last month. The Angels have produced 86 runs in 25 games since May 9, a pedestrian average of 3.4 runs per outing, yet have compiled a 15-10 record over that stretch.

So what's the secret? Well, a deep and talented starting rotation and a bullpen that contains one of the world's best closers in Francisco Rodriguez has certainly helped Anaheim overcome its offensive deficiencies. The Angels have also done an excellent job of taking advantage of their limited opportunities -- a common trait during Scioscia's very successful nine-year tenure as manager -- and coming through in clutch situations.

That knack for timely hitting was illustrated perfectly during Anaheim's series with Toronto last weekend. In Sunday's finale, the Angels took advantage of Blue Jays closer B.J. Ryan's wildness and rallied for two ninth- inning runs to post a thrilling 4-3 victory. Shortstop Maicer Izturis delivered the winning hit with two outs and the score tied.

Izturis' effort came one day after Anaheim also edged the Blue Jays in their final at bat. This time the hero was seldom-used outfielder Juan Rivera, who gave the Angels a 3-2 win with a run-scoring single in the bottom of the 10th inning.

The Angels lead the AL with a .277 average with runners in scoring position and two outs.

Those two uplifting wins help spur Anaheim to a three-game sweep at Seattle, with each of those victories coming by either one or two runs. The Angels were outhit by a 12-9 margin in Wednesday's matchup, but still managed a 5-4 triumph because of an ability to cash in at crucial spots.

Anaheim did a terrific job of manufacturing runs during the game, as evidenced by a two-run fourth inning that showcased the team's prowess at situational hitting. After putting runners on the corners with one out, catcher Mike Napoli brought home center fielder Torii Hunter with a sacrifice fly and rookie prospect Brandon Wood followed with a key two-out single to drive in the second run.

"We come through when it counts on offense," said Hunter. "We struggle to get runs, we leave a lot of runners on base, but when it counts we come through. That's what matters. As long as we come through with the (win), that's all that matters."

MAKING HIS MARK

Rookie reliever Jose Arredondo earned the victory in Sunday's game by tossing 2 1/3 scoreless innings and continues to impress the coaching staff with his both his arm and his poise.

After serving up a home run to the Chicago White Sox' Nick Swisher -- the first batter he faced in the majors -- on May 14, Arredondo has not allowed a run over eight appearances and a span of 9 2/3 innings. The 24-year old has also yet to walk a batter since his callup from the minors and is limiting enemy hitters to just a .188 average at the plate.

Arredondo's success has earned him a more significant role in the Anaheim bullpen, with the hard-throwing Dominican now working as one of Rodriguez's two primary setup men along with stalwart Scot Shields. Scioscia called on his young charge to get a key out in the eighth inning of Monday's 4-2 win over Seattle, and Arredondo preserved a one-run lead with a perfect eighth in Tuesday's game.

Veteran Justin Speier has been the one adversely affected by Arredondo's emergence. The normally reliable righty has gone 0-3 with a 4.91 earned run average in 24 appearances this year, while often struggling with his command.

WELCOME ABOARD

The Angels were the last team to make a pick in the 2008 First Year Player Draft, as the franchise forfeited its first-round selection after signing Hunter away from the Minnesota Twins during the offseason. When it finally came time to choose, Anaheim didn't stray far from its own backyard.

Anaheim grabbed Tyler Chatwood, a right-handed pitcher from Redlands, CA, on Thursday with its second-round pick (74th overall) in this year's draft. The 18-year-old is coming off a dominating senior season for Redlands East Valley School in which he amassed a 9-1 record and a 1.05 ERA in 11 starts.

Chatwood, a UCLA recruit who is expected to sign with the Angels, earns high marks for his athleticism and an excellent curveball that is considered one of the best secondary offerings of any prep pitcher in the 2008 class. His fastball has also been clocked in the mid-90's despite the local product's smallish 5-foot-11, 185-pound frame.

Redlands is located about an hour's drive from Anaheim, which made the news even more special for Chatwood.

"My family, friends and I all went crazy when I heard that the Angels were going to draft me," he said. "It means so much to me. Growing up watching the Angels all the time, it was my dream to play professional baseball. Being given the opportunity to play for the Angels' organization is a real pleasure for me."

WHO'S HOT

Starting pitcher Joe Saunders became the AL's first nine-game winner this season after tossing seven effective innings in Tuesday's decision over the Mariners. The surprising left-hander did allow four runs during his stint, but only one was earned due to a pair of Anaheim errors in the fifth inning. The effort also lowered Saunders' ERA on the road to a stellar 1.77 for the year.

Izturis has recorded five consecutive multi-hit outings and is batting a torrid .545 (12-for-22) with five RBI over that stretch, which has raised the versatile infielder's season average from .202 to .252.

WHO'S NOT

Napoli is fighting through a 2-for-26 slump and has gone 27 at-bats since his last home run, which came as part of a two-homer outburst in a May 18 victory over the Dodgers. The burly backstop had went deep 10 times over his first 88 at-bats.

Second baseman Howie Kendrick has gone just 4-for-22 since coming off the disabled list on May 30, although the hard-hitting infielder did collect a pair of hits and an RBI in Wednesday's win over Seattle. Kendrick batted .500 (18-for-36) in 10 games prior to missing more than six weeks with a hamstring strain.

ON DECK

Oakland will attempt to cut into the Angels' margin atop the West when the two division rivals play a three-game series at McAfee Coliseum this weekend. John Lackey (1-1, 1.80) is slated to go for Anaheim in Friday's opener, with Joe Blanton (3-7, 4.27) taking the hill for the Athletics. Jon Garland (5-3, 3.99) faces off against Oakland rookie Greg Smith (3-4, 3.56) on Saturday, while Ervin Santana (8-2, 3.02) tries to join Saunders as nine-win teammates during Sunday's matchup with A's ace Rich Harden (3-0, 2.61).